Introducing Dungeons & Therapy: A Tabletop Role-Playing System for Group Therapy

Abstract

Abstract: This article is the first of a planned three-part series that explores the utility of table-top role-playing games (TTRPGs) in therapy and introduces a new system designed by the authors for use in group therapy settings called Dungeons & Therapy. The surging popularity of TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) has led to scholarly interest in their potential uses within therapeutic settings. However, D&D’s financial cost, complicated rules, and history of problematic content can create barriers for therapists wishing to use it. Dungeons & Therapy, which the authors have made as a free alternative to D&D, seeks to capture the role-playing essence of TTRPGs with a simplified rule set and to provide systems through which a therapist can encourage different kinds of play from players to facilitate personalized therapeutic outcomes.